Islamic State claims responsibility for attacks on Tehran’s Parliament building and Khomeini tomb (warning graphic images)

Tehran, Iran-Islamic State claimed responsibility for two separate attacks yesterday, one at the parliament building and the second attack at the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. 12 people were killed and 42 were injured in the attack on the parliament building which occurred at at approximately 10:30 am local time. Security forces were able to kill all four gunmen after several hours. The gunmen released a video during the middle of their assault.

The Islamic State released a 24-minute graphic video showing a bloodied man lying on the ground in the Parliament while a gunman in the background shouted, “Thank God! Do you think that we are going to leave? We will remain here, God willing.”- New YorkTimes

At 11:00 am local time, the attack on the tomb or shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (who died in 1989) was attacked by two men, one suicide bomber and a gunman. The suicide bomber detonated the device at the west entrance of the mausoleum and the death of the second gunman is unclear at this time. There are different reports regarding his death, one states the man killed himself with a cyanide pill and the other story asserts security forces shot the gunman.

Police standing over the bodies of the attackers. Image courtesy of AP

Dead suicide bomber. Image courtesy of Twitter/@AbasAslani

Dead suicide bomber. Image courtesy of Twitter/@AbasAslani

According to Washington Post, Iranian intelligence claimed to have stopped a third attack, however they did not indicate a potential target.

Iranian intelligence, meanwhile, said they had foiled a third attack and arrested a team, according to the state broadcaster. The statement from the Islamic State did not mention a third attack.”- Washington Post

If this was actually the Islamic State that attacked Tehran, this would be the first significant attack by ISIS on Iranian soil. Following the death of Saddam Hussein, the border between Iraq and Iran has been very porous but mostly for Shia Muslims with family in either countries, subversive Shia militias, and religious pilgrims. This symbolic attack also occurred in the same week Iranian influence has altered Qatar’s political presence in the Middle East.

About the Author

Desiree Huitt
Desiree Huitt is an Army Veteran serving 11 years as a Military Intelligence officer and prior to OCS as a combat medic. She is a graduate from the University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Eastern Studies.